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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Manual-wind rectangular wristwatch

1940s Arsa Wrist Watch

Partially verified

According to the seller, this vintage Arsa wristwatch dates to the 1940s and is powered by a Swiss hand-winding movement. The timepiece is housed in a curved, elongated gold-plated rectangular case measuring 22 mm wide by 30 mm high, excluding the crown and lugs. Fitted beneath a convex lens, the black dial features Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The dial is signed 'ARSA', referencing Auguste Reymond SA, and retains its hands with missing infill. The watch is presented on a vintage brown leather strap.

Three-quarter view of the gold-plated Arsa rectangular wristwatch on a brown leather strap.
Three-quarter view of the gold-plated Arsa rectangular wristwatch on a brown leather strap. — The Vintage Wrist Watch Company / Sellingantiques.co.uk. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sellingantiques.co.uk
Category
Wristwatch · Manual-wind rectangular wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Arsa (Auguste Reymond SA)
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
SA1021627
Source-reported date
1940s
Country
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction and Physical Dimensions

The watch features a rectangular curved gold-plated case with a knurled crown at the 3 o'clock position. According to dealer-reported measurements, the case measures 22 mm wide excluding the winding crown and 30 mm high excluding the lugs.

The timepiece is fitted with a convex lens, which causes notable light reflections in the photograph. While the dealer describes the case as being in good condition with light marking to the back, the case back is not visible in the available imagery.

Evidence for this section
  • “Rectangular curved gold-plated case fitted with a knurled crown at 3 o'clock.”
  • “The watch measures 22mm wide excluding the winding crown and 30mm high excluding the lugs.”
  • “The case is gold plated and it is in good condition, just light marking to the back.”
  • “The convex lens is in good condition (because of the curved lens and black dial, and because we like to photograph in natural light, there is a lot of reflection showing in the photos).”

Dial and Hands Configuration

The watch features a glossy black dial marked with Arabic numerals, an outer rectangular minute track, and a rectangular subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock. The dial is signed 'Arsa', referencing Auguste Reymond SA.

The hands are gold-tone skeletonized hands that lack central infill; the seller notes that the infill has come out over the years. The watch is mounted on a brown textured leather strap with stitched detailing, described by the dealer simply as a vintage leather strap.

Evidence for this section
  • “Glossy black dial with Arabic numerals, an outer rectangular minute track, and an intricate rectangular subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.”
  • “The dial is signed Arsa (named after the founder of the company, Auguste Reymond SA).”
  • “It is in its original finish with original hands (the infill has come out of the hands over the years), a subsidiary seconds dial and outer minute track.”
  • “Gold-tone skeleton hands lacking original central luminous or painted infill.”
  • “Mounted on a brown textured leather strap with stitched detailing.”

Reported Movement and Documentation Limits

The internal mechanism is reported by the seller to be a Swiss hand-winding movement in working order. Because no internal photographs are provided, the movement calibre, jewel count, and condition cannot be independently confirmed from the source.

The piece is dated to the 1940s based on the dealer's declaration, alongside a platform dateline of '1920 - 1940'. Neither serial numbers nor internal reference stamps are recorded in the listing.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch has a Swiss hand-winding movement which is working nicely.”
  • “The Vintage Wrist Watch Company has dated this piece to the 1940s.”
  • “1920 - 1940”

Open research questions

  • What specific calibre of Auguste Reymond SA movement is housed inside the case?
  • What metal purity, base metal, or serial markings appear inside or outside the case back?
  • Was the original hand infill luminous (such as radium) or non-luminous paint?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for 1940s Arsa Wrist Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement originSwiss hand-winding movement“The watch has a Swiss hand-winding movement which is working nicely.”
Dimensions22 mm wide by 30 mm high (excluding crown and lugs)“The watch measures 22mm wide excluding the winding crown and 30mm high excluding the lugs.”
Case materialGold plated“The case is gold plated and it is in good condition, just light marking to the back.”
Dial signatureArsa (Auguste Reymond SA)“The dial is signed Arsa (named after the founder of the company, Auguste Reymond SA).”
Hands conditionOriginal hands missing infill“It is in its original finish with original hands (the infill has come out of the hands over the years)”
Crystal profileConvex lens“The convex lens is in good condition (because of the curved lens and black dial, and because we like to photograph in natural light, there is a lot of reflection showing in the photos).”
Accompanying packagingNew presentation box“The watch comes in a new presentation box.”
Strap descriptionVintage leather strap“The watch has a vintage leather strap.”

Visible details

  • Rectangular curved gold-plated case fitted with a knurled crown at 3 o'clock.
  • Glossy black dial with Arabic numerals, an outer rectangular minute track, and an intricate rectangular subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.
  • Gold-tone skeleton hands lacking original central luminous or painted infill.
  • Mounted on a brown textured leather strap with stitched detailing.

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement and case back are not depicted in the source photograph.
  • Strong lighting reflections are visible across the curved crystal.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

1940s Arsa Wrist Watch | Sellingantiques.co.uk

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record ea9370579c

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.